Tuesday, 29 September 2009

Dirty and dangerous black cabs

Thousands of black cabs emitting illegal levels of pollution - and hundreds with brake problems - are being allowed on London's streets as a result of Boris Johnson "cosying up" to the taxi trade, it was claimed today.

New figures obtained by the Green Party show 2,898 cabs - one in seven of the capital's black taxis - failed a mid-year inspection prior to the tests being scrapped by the Mayor last year.

A further 1,452 were temporarily taken off the road after problems were found with their brakes, according to the Transport for London statistics.